Abandoned roosters

[Jackie777]

There are 2 in my yard. I know where they are from i believe the owner has abandoned them. Just 2 roosters no chockens. They never leave my yard. I now consider them mine but have no idea how to proceed. I figure just sbout any chicken coop too big for them to keep eatm at night which is my biggest concern w tenperature dropping. Nights are currentlt about 37. Need a solution before nights are 32. Spending nights niw under forsythia bush. Thinking dog igloo w straw could work. Need advice. Completely out if depth here

 

[Aunt Angus]

Poor guys! Glad you're stepping up.

The igloo with straw will work if there's added ventilation. The ventilation is extra important in winter because the moisture they generate can cause serious harm. 32 isn't all that cold, tbh (it is for me, but some of the folks here keep chickens in crazy cold temps!). And I'm assuming you are giving them food and water, yes?

 

[Boise-girls]

If you can figure out a way to include a 2x4 roost, that would be great. It wouldn't need to be very high - just enough to get them off the ground or floor. Kudos to you for taking care of them!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum from Louisiana. Glad you found us.

Not sure where you are located or how cold it will get. I've seen chickens sleep in trees when it was around -10 F (-18 C) so I don't get that excited about 32 F (0 C). These chickens were not on a bare limb overlooking a bluff defiantly squawking into the teeth of a blizzard. The tree was in a sheltered location. You can't get much better ventilation than sleeping in a tree. I'll include a link to an article by someone who has really cold temperatures.

Alaskan’s Article

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Not sure how old they are, especially if they are sleeping under a bush instead of in a tree. As long as they are fully feathered out, it should not matter. Most chicks are fully feathered around 4 to 5 weeks of age. But if they are pretty young they may not be old enough to roost. That can change as they age.

It sounds like you do not have any other chickens. If you are going to keep them you need a predator proof coop big enough that you can lock them in there for extended periods of time. Or a coop with attached run that you can keep them locked in there. This shelter should block wind but provide good ventilation. How do you do that? The way I prefer is to have openings up high so any wind blows above them, not on them. If you want to let them continue to free range during the day you can train them to sleep in a shelter at night. Different ways you could approach this.

Good luck!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Welcome to the forum from Louisiana. Glad you found us.

Not sure where you are located or how cold it will get. I've seen chickens sleep in trees when it was around -10 F (-18 C) so I don't get that excited about 32 F (0 C). These chickens were not on a bare limb overlooking a bluff defiantly squawking into the teeth of a blizzard. The tree was in a sheltered location. You can't get much better ventilation than sleeping in a tree. I'll include a link to an article by someone who has really cold temperatures.

Alaskan’s Article

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Not sure how old they are, especially if they are sleeping under a bush instead of in a tree. As long as they are fully feathered out, it should not matter. Most chicks are fully feathered around 4 to 5 weeks of age. But if they are pretty young they may not be old enough to roost. That can change as they age.

It sounds like you do not have any other chickens. If you are going to keep them you need a predator proof coop big enough that you can lock them in there for extended periods of time. Or a coop with attached run that you can keep them locked in there. This shelter should block wind but provide good ventilation. How do you do that? The way I prefer is to have openings up high so any wind blows above them, not on them. If you want to let them continue to free range during the day you can train them to sleep in a shelter at night. Different ways you could approach this.

Good luck!

Alaskan was exactly who I thought of for crazy cold temps - haha!

 

[6BeachChicks]

You might need to build a “trap”. something with food in it, but make it comfy, fresh water, and maybe something to sleep under. Then you go out when it’s dark, and boom! Close them in the ”trap”.

 

[Jackie777]

Poor guys! Glad you're stepping up.

The igloo with straw will work if there's added ventilation. The ventilation is extra important in winter because the moisture they generate can cause serious harm. 32 isn't all that cold, tbh (it is for me, but some of the folks here keep chickens in crazy cold temps!). And I'm assuming you are giving them food and water, yes?

Thanks 4 the reply.. yes i am giving them food and water...and trying befriend them even though they will have nothing to do with me lol. Thanks for letting me know about the additional ventilation. Perhaps a few holes drilled into igloo if possible...??

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks 4 the reply.. yes i am giving them food and water...and trying befriend them even though they will have nothing to do with me lol. Thanks for letting me know about the additional ventilation. Perhaps a few holes drilled into igloo if possible...??

They need quite a bit of ventilation. Guidelines are 1 sq feet of ventilation per bird. You could probably drill large holes and achieve that. Just be sure to cover them somehow to keep things out, and place it somewhere where it won't fill up with rain/snow.

You may need to lock them in for a bit so that they know it's "home."

 

[Jackie777]

If you can figure out a way to include a 2x4 roost, that would be great. It wouldn't need to be very high - just enough to get them off the ground or floor. Kudos to you for taking care of them!

Good suggestion. .thanks! I feel so bad for them....and i just cant refuse any creature in need.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Good suggestion. .thanks! I feel so bad for them....and i just cant refuse any creature in need.

I have the same affliction. I understand completely.